The Relationship Between Fundamental Movement Skills, Body Composition, and Flat Feet in Children Aged 3-6 Years

Abstract

Background and Aims Children have a very high ability to learn. With correct planning, we can provide conditions for them to perform various movement patterns to increase their motor skills and thus reduce the risk of skeletal injuries and obesity. This study aims to investigate the relationship between fundamental movement skills, body composition, and flat feet in children. Methods This is a descriptive-correlational study on 50 healthy children (girls and boys) aged 3-6 (mean age: 5.13±0.831 years) who were selected using a convenience sampling method from Novak Kindergarten in Tehran, Iran. To evaluate the fundamental movement skills, Ulrich (2015)’s test of gross motor development was used. The InBody 270 device was used to examine the body composition, and a digital photo scanner was used to evaluate the flat feet deformity. Data analysis was performed by using the Pearson correlation test and multiple regression analysis in SPSS software, version 24. P≤.0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The results showed a negative and significant relationship of body weight (P=0.001), body mass index (P=0.001), body fat percentage (P=0.001), and flat feet (P=0.009) with fundamental movement skills. Also, the relationship between musculoskeletal mass and fundamental movement skills was positive and significant (P=0.001), but its relationship with flat feet was negative and significant (P=0.004). The body weight had the highest power to predict fundamental movement skills, and musculoskeletal mass had the highest power to predict flat feet (P=0.001) in preschool children. Conclusion It seems that, by improving fundamental movement skills and musculoskeletal mass index, the development of flat feet and overweight in preschool children can be prevented.